Keepsake Arrangement and Method of Making a Keepsake

ABSTRACT

A keepsake arrangement comprising a cavity defined by at least one cavity wall and having an opening, an impressible material disposed in the cavity, a seal, sealingly coupled to a lip about the cavity, for sealing the impressible material in the cavity and for maintaining moisture in the impressible material while the seal is sealingly coupled to the lip about the cavity, a frame releasably coupleable to at least a portion of the lip that extends about the cavity, the frame comprising a shoulder section that extends over the opening when the frame is coupled to the at least one cavity wall, wherein the shoulder section is dimensioned to assist in retaining the impressible material in the cavity when the seal is removed from the lip about the cavity and the moisture is removed from the impressible material. A method of making a keepsake utilizing a keepsake arrangement as disclosed herein is also provided.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed generally to keepsake arrangements andin particular, to an improved keepsake arrangement that utilizes a sealfor sealing an impressible material and a pressfitted and/or otherwisereleasably coupleable frame to assist in keeping the impressiblematerial in the cavity once the seal is removed. In this way, and withthe preferred embodiments set forth herein, an improved and more userfriendly keepsake arrangement is provided. An improved method of makinga keepsake utilizing an improved keepsake arrangement is also provided.

Keepsake arrangements are known in the art. One such arrangement isdescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,591,565. In particular, this '565 patentdescribes the use of clay that is kept impressible while inside areceptacle. Prior to making an impression in the clay, a moisture proofcover is removed. However, after the impression is made, the receptaclecontaining the clay must be clamped to the back of a frame using aplurality of components, such as clamping elements, nuts and bolts. Inaddition, the arrangement as described depends in part on the pressureof the hand (or other) print for causing the clay to sufficiently bedisplaced so as to rise above the edges of the pan. Among other things,such an arrangement is perceived to be cumbersome, time-consuming and/orless than very easy to construct and hence, less than very userfriendly. Accordingly, deficiencies in the art are believed to exist.

It is thus desirable to overcome the deficiencies in the prior art. Forexample, it would be advantageous and desirable to provide a keepsakearrangement that is easy to use, that can be easily and quicklyconstructed and that is aesthetically pleasing. Such a construction andmethod of use is provided by the present invention.

It is thus evident that the present invention overcomes the perceiveddeficiencies in the prior art noted above and further achieves theaforementioned and below mentioned objectives.

SUMMARY AND OBJECTIVES OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is an objective of the present invention to provide akeepsake arrangement that overcomes the deficiencies in the prior art.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide a keepsakearrangement that is easy to use, that can be easily and quicklyconstructed and that is aesthetically pleasing.

In particular, another objective of the present invention is to providea keepsake that can be quickly created, does not require complicatedassembly components and is very easily and quickly ready to provide tothe person desiring the keepsake memorabilia.

Another objective is to provide such a keepsake arrangement that can beeconomically manufactured.

Still a further objective is to provide a keepsake arrangement that canact as a shadow box for aesthetics.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an improvedmethod of making a keepsake using the keepsake arrangement as disclosedherein.

Still other objects and advantages of the invention will in part beobvious and will in part be apparent from the specification.

The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction,combination of elements, arrangement of parts and sequence of stepswhich will be exemplified in the construction, illustration anddescription hereinafter set forth, and the scope of the invention willbe indicated in the claims.

Generally speaking, in accordance with the present invention, animproved keepsake arrangement and method of making a keepsake isprovided. In a first embodiment, the keepsake arrangement comprises acavity defined by at least one cavity wall, the cavity having anopening; an impressible material disposed in the cavity; a seal,sealingly coupled to a lip about the cavity, for sealing the impressiblematerial in the cavity and for maintaining moisture in the impressiblematerial while the seal is sealingly coupled to the lip about thecavity; a frame releasably coupleable to at least a portion of the lipthat extends about the cavity, the frame comprising a shoulder sectionthat extends over at least part of the opening when the frame is coupledto the at least one cavity wall; wherein the shoulder section isdimensioned to assist in retaining the impressible material in thecavity when the seal is removed from the lip about the cavity and themoisture is removed from the impressible material.

In an alternative embodiment, the keepsake arrangement comprises acavity defined by at least one cavity wall, the cavity having anopening; an impressible material disposed in the cavity; a seal,sealingly coupled to a lip about the cavity, for sealing the impressiblematerial in the cavity and for maintaining moisture in the impressiblematerial while the seal is sealingly coupled to the lip about thecavity; a frame pressfittedly coupleable to at least a portion of thelip that extends about the cavity, the frame comprising a shouldersection that extends over at least part of the opening when the frame iscoupled to the at least one cavity wall; wherein the shoulder section isdimensioned to assist in retaining the impressible material in thecavity when the seal is removed from the lip about the cavity and themoisture is removed from the impressible material.

In yet another embodiment, a method of making a keepsake utilizing akeepsake arrangement as disclosed herein is provided. In such apreferred embodiment, the method comprises the steps of removing theseal from the lip about the cavity; making an impression in theimpressible material; and coupling the frame to the at least portion ofthe lip; whereby the shoulder section assists in retaining theimpressible material in the cavity when the seal is removed from the lipabout the cavity and the moisture is removed from the impressiblematerial.

In a preferred embodiment, the impressible material is an air drymodeling compound and the impression is that of a paw print of a pet.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a fuller understanding of the invention, reference is had to thefollowing description taken in connection with the accompanying figures,in which:

FIGS. 1-4 are perspective views of a keepsake arrangement constructed inaccordance with preferred embodiments of the present invention and invarious open and closed positions, particulars and details of which aremore fully disclosed herein.

Identically numbered elements in the various figures are intended todesignate like elements, although not every element in every figure isso labeled.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Reference is made to generally to FIGS. 1-4 in connection with preferredembodiments of the present invention, which include preferredconstructions of the keepsake arrangement and methods of making akeepsake using the keepsake arrangements disclosed herein.

As shown in the figures, the preferred embodiments are generallydirected to a keepsake arrangement, generally indicated at 10,constructed in accordance with the present invention. In a firstpreferred embodiment, keepsake arrangement 10 comprises a cavity 12defined by at least one cavity wall, generally indicated at 14. As canbe seen in FIG. 1 for example, four (4) walls define cavity 12. Walls 14may be separate walls, or, as in the preferred embodiment, areintegrally molded walls preferably from plastic. On this point, itshould also be understood that while in this first embodiment, cavity 12is rectangular in shape, this is by example and not limitation, as itshould be understood that cavity 12 can be any number of shapes,including round, oval, among others. It will also be noted that theclaims are not limited by the shape of the cavity. Cavity 12 has anopening that is indicated by reference number 16.

In a completed keepsake arrangement, an impressible material 18 will bedisposed in the cavity 12. In a preferred embodiment, the impressiblematerial is an air dry modeling compound. Through extensiveexperimentation it has been found that an air dry modeling compound soldunder the brandname DELIGHT works the best in connection with theobjectives of the present invention.

In connection therewith, a seal 20 is sealingly coupled to a lip 22about the cavity, for sealing the impressible material 18 in the cavity12 and for maintaining moisture in the impressible material 18 while theseal 20 is sealingly coupled to the lip 22 about the cavity. In apreferred embodiment, the seal 20 is heat-sealed to the lip 22 about thecavity, but other means of sealing are well within the purview of oneskilled in the art, such as through the use of adhesives or the like.

Keepsake arrangement 10 further comprises a frame, generally indicatedat 30, that is releasably coupleable to at least a portion of the lip 22that extends about the cavity 12. In a preferred embodiment, frame 30 isreleasably coupleable to the lip 22 that extends about the cavity. Thatis, preferably frame 30 extends around the entire cavity as clearlyillustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3. However, those skilled in the art willrecognize that while preferred, frame 30 need not extend all the wayaround.

Frame 30 includes a shoulder section 32 that preferably extends aboutthe entire frame. Here too, although preferred, those skilled in the artwill recognize that shoulder section need not extend all the way around.In the preferred embodiment, shoulder section 32 extends over at least apart of the opening 16 when the frame 30 is coupled to the cavitywall(s).

As illustrated and preferred, the shoulder section 32 is dimensioned toassist in retaining the impressible material 18 in the cavity 12 whenthe seal 20 is removed from the lip 22 about the cavity 12 and themoisture is removed from the impressible material. By this it is meantthat exposure to the air will cause the impressible material to lose itsmoisture and contract in size. Therefore, without some means ofretaining the material 18 within the cavity, it is more likely to fallout undesirably. The use of a shoulder section that extends at leastpartially into the opening reduces and/or eliminates this possibility.

In a specific embodiment, frame 30 may be hingedly coupled to the atleast one cavity wall 14 such that the frame 30 can be coupled anddecoupled from the lip 22 about the cavity by pivoting of the framerelative to the cavity. To achieve this, a hinge 40 (FIG. 2) may beprovided to hingedly couple the frame 30 to the at least one cavity wall14. In a preferred embodiment, the frame 30 and the hinge 40 areintegrally formed from plastic. Further, as the entire keepsakearrangement is preferably molded from plastic, hinge 40, lip 22 andframe 30 may all be integrally formed from molded plastic.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, a preferred usage of the present invention isin connection with pet memorabilia, and in particular, wherein the airdry modeling compound is impressed with the paw print of a pet. However,as should be understood, this is by way of a preferred example of animprint and not by limitation.

In connection with further optional but preferably includable details inconnection with the objectives set forth herein, keepsake arrangement 10may further comprise a housing, generally indicated at 60, wherein thehousing comprises at least (i) a base 62 for supporting the cavity 12and (ii) a flap 64, coupled to the base such as by member 64, forcovering the frame 30 when the flap 64 is in a closed position (FIG. 4)and for exposing the frame 30 and the impressible material 18 when theflap 64 is in an open position (e.g. FIGS. 1, 3). In a preferredembodiment, housing could be made from leather or faux leather oranother aesthetically appealing material.

In connection with the objectives set forth herein, a preferredembodiment of the present invention also provides for flap 64 tocomprise a transparent sleeve 68 (FIGS. 1, 3). In this way, and by wayof example and not limitation, a photo or picture (e.g. of the pet)and/or a spiritual, emotional and/or inspirational writing 70 (see FIG.3) can be inserted (and removed if desired) into the sleeve 68. Asillustrated and preferred, writing 70 is viewable through the sleeve 68and is readable by a person when the flap is in the opened position.

With a preferred embodiment of the keepsake arrangement now disclosed,reference may also be had to the figures in connection with anotherpreferred embodiment of the invention, namely a method of making akeepsake utilizing a keepsake arrangement. Preferably, the keepsakearrangement used in connection with such a preferred method isillustrated herein, but for completeness and non-ambiguousness,comprises a cavity 12 defined by at least one cavity wall 14, the cavityhaving an opening 16; an impressible material 18 disposed in the cavity12; a seal 20, sealingly coupled to a lip 22 about the cavity, forsealing the impressible material 18 in the cavity 12 and for maintainingmoisture in the impressible material 18 while the seal 20 is sealinglycoupled to the lip 22 about the cavity; a frame 30 releasably coupleableto at least a portion of the lip that extends about the cavity, theframe 30 comprising a shoulder section 32 that extends over at leastpart of the opening 16 when the frame 30 is coupled to the at least onecavity wall 14; wherein the shoulder section 32 is dimensioned to retainthe impressible material 18 in the cavity when the seal 20 is removedfrom the lip 22 about the cavity 12 and the moisture is removed from theimpressible material.

Therefore and in accordance with a preferred embodiment, the methodcomprises the steps of removing the seal 20 from the lip 22 about thecavity 12, making an impression in the impressible material 18 andcoupling the frame 30 to the at least portion of the lip 22, whereby theshoulder section 32 assists in retaining the impressible material 18 inthe cavity 12 when the seal 20 is removed from the lip 22 about thecavity 12 and the moisture is removed from the impressible material.

In a specific embodiment, and as disclosed above, the keepsakearrangement 10 may comprise comprising a housing 60 comprising a base 62for supporting the cavity 12, and a flap 64 coupled to the base 62 forcovering the frame 30 when the flap 64 is in a closed position and forexposing the frame 30 and the impressible material 18 when the flap 64is in an open position, wherein, and prior to the step of removing theseal 20 from the lip 22 about the cavity, the method comprises the stepsof placing the flap 64 of the housing 60 in the open position;decoupling the frame 30 from the at least portion of the lip 22 andthereafter making an impression in the impressible material 18; and thenpress-fittingly coupling the frame to the at least portion of the lip.

In another specific embodiment, the frame 30 may be is hingedly coupledto the at least one cavity wall 14 such that the frame 30 can be coupledand decoupled from the lip 22 about the cavity 12 by pivoting of theframe relative to the cavity 12, wherein the method comprises the stepsof decoupling the frame from the at least portion of the lip by rotatingthe frame about the hinge 40 and press-fittingly coupling the frame tothe at least portion of the lip by rotating the frame about the hinge40.

In each of the aforementioned embodiments, frame 30 may merely bereleasably coupled and releasably locked onto wall(s) 14 by a pressfitengagement, with or without a hinge. However, frame 30 could also (oralternatively) be releasably coupled to wall(s) 14 by means of a snap,lock, latch or other types of securing means, all of which is wellwithin the purview of the skilled artisan. Such additional locking couldbe used to further ensure that the impressible material 18 does notundesirably or prematurely fall out of cavity 12. Likewise, as thepresent invention is preferably directed to the imprinting of a pet'spaw print, the method may also comprise the step of making an impressionin the impressible material with the paw print of a pet.

Therefore, and to be sure, the keepsake arrangement may comprise acavity defined by at least one cavity wall, the cavity having anopening; an impressible material disposed in the cavity; a seal,sealingly coupled to a lip about the cavity, for sealing the impressiblematerial in the cavity and for maintaining moisture in the impressiblematerial while the seal is sealingly coupled to the lip about thecavity; a frame pressfittedly coupleable to at least a portion of thelip that extends about the cavity, the frame comprising a shouldersection that extends over the opening when the frame is coupled to thecavity; wherein the shoulder section is dimensioned to assist inretaining the impressible material in the cavity when the seal isremoved from the lip about the cavity and the moisture is removed fromthe impressible material. In this pressfitting arrangement, the framemay likewise be hingedly coupled to the at least one cavity wall suchthat the frame can be coupled and decoupled from the lip about thecavity by pivoting of the frame relative to the cavity. Hinge 40 asdisclosed herein, may be used to achieve this construction.

As alluded to above, a preferred material for keepsake arrangement 10 isplastic, but other materials, dictated by cost and other relevantfactors, can be used in place thereof. Such is the case with theoptional but preferred housing 60 as set forth above. In addition, frame30 is shown herein as being open within shoulders 32, but if a furtherlayer of material is desired, for example, so as not to contact material18 after the impression has been done, glass or transparent (andpresumably hard) plastic could also be provided and is within the scopeof the invention. In addition, the use of a frame and shoulder section32 that extends into the opening as disclosed herein can conceal unevenedges of the impressible material 18 that may form as the materialdries, contracts and hardens. In this way, keepsake arrangement 10 asillustrated for example in FIG. 3, is even more aesthetically pleasingand ready to be displayed.

It can thus be seen that the present invention provides numerousadvantages not found in the prior art. For example, the presentinvention provides an improved keepsake arrangement that overcomes thedeficiencies in the prior art. Moreover, the present invention is easyto use, can be easily and quickly constructed and is aestheticallypleasing, all of which are improvements over the prior art. For example,the present invention can be quickly created, does not requirecomplicated assembly components and is very easily and quickly ready toprovide to the person desiring the keepsake memorabilia. Also, becauseof the sealed impressible material, storage of the present invention,for example in a Veterinarian's office for long periods of time prior toits opening and use, is possible with the invention as constructed. Aswould also now be understood by those skilled in the art, the presentinvention can be economically manufactured. The present invention alsoprovides for an improved method of making a keepsake using the keepsakearrangement for the reasons disclosed herein.

While the invention has been particularly shown and described withrespect to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by thoseskilled in the art that changes in form and details may be made thereinwithout departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A keepsake arrangement, the keepsake arrangement comprising: a cavity defined by at least one cavity wall, the cavity having an opening; an impressible material disposed in the cavity; a seal, sealingly coupled to a lip about the cavity, for sealing the impressible material in the cavity and for maintaining moisture in the impressible material while the seal is sealingly coupled to the lip about the cavity; a frame releasably coupleable to at least a portion of the lip that extends about the cavity, the frame comprising a shoulder section that extends over at least part of the opening when the frame is coupled to the at least one cavity wall; wherein the shoulder section is dimensioned to assist in retaining the impressible material in the cavity when the seal is removed from the lip about the cavity and the moisture is removed from the impressible material.
 2. The keepsake arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the frame is hingedly coupled to the at least one cavity wall such that the frame can be coupled and decoupled from the lip about the cavity by pivoting of the frame relative to the cavity.
 3. The keepsake arrangement as claimed in claim 2, including a hinge to hingedly couple the frame to the at least one cavity wall, wherein the frame and the hinge are integrally formed from plastic.
 4. The keepsake arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the impressible material is an air dry modeling compound.
 5. The keepsake arrangement as claimed in claim 4, wherein the air dry modeling compound is impressed with the paw print of a pet.
 6. The keepsake arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the seal is heat-sealed to the lip about the cavity.
 7. The keepsake arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein: the frame is pressfittedly and releasably coupleable to the lip that extends about the cavity, and the shoulder section extends about the entire frame.
 8. The keepsake arrangement as claimed in claim 1, comprising a housing, wherein the housing comprises: a base for supporting the cavity; and a flap, coupled to the base, for covering the frame when the flap is in a closed position and for exposing the frame and the impressible material when the flap is in an open position.
 9. The keepsake arrangement as claimed in claim 8, wherein the flap comprises a transparent sleeve; whereby at least one of a photo, picture and spiritual, emotional and/or inspirational writing can be inserted into the sleeve, is viewable through the sleeve and is readable by a person when the flap is in the opened position.
 10. A method of making a keepsake utilizing a keepsake arrangement comprising a cavity defined by at least one cavity wall, the cavity having an opening; an impressible material disposed in the cavity; a seal, sealingly coupled to a lip about the cavity, for sealing the impressible material in the cavity and for maintaining moisture in the impressible material while the seal is sealingly coupled to the lip about the cavity; a frame releasably coupleable to at least a portion of the lip that extends about the cavity, the frame comprising a shoulder section that extends over at least part of the opening when the frame is coupled to the at least one cavity wall; wherein the shoulder section is dimensioned to retain the impressible material in the cavity when the seal is removed from the lip about the cavity and the moisture is removed from the impressible material, wherein the method comprises the steps of: removing the seal from the lip about the cavity; making an impression in the impressible material; and coupling the frame to the at least portion of the lip; whereby the shoulder section assists in retaining the impressible material in the cavity when the seal is removed from the lip about the cavity and the moisture is removed from the impressible material.
 11. The method as claimed in claim 10, wherein the keepsake arrangement comprising a housing comprising a base for supporting the cavity, and a flap coupled to the base for covering the frame when the flap is in a closed position and for exposing the frame and the impressible material when the flap is in an open position, wherein, and prior to the step of removing the seal from the lip about the cavity, the method comprises the steps of: placing the flap of the housing in the open position and decoupling the frame from the at least portion of the lip; and after removing the seal from the lip, making an impression in the impressible material; and then press-fittingly coupling the frame to the at least portion of the lip.
 12. The method as claimed in claim 10, wherein the frame of the keepsake arrangement is hingedly coupled to the at least one cavity wall such that the frame can be coupled and decoupled from the lip about the cavity by pivoting of the frame relative to the cavity, wherein the method comprises the steps of: decoupling the frame from the at least portion of the lip by rotating the frame about the hinge and press-fittingly coupling the frame to the at least portion of the lip by rotating the frame about the hinge.
 13. The method as claimed in claim 10, including the step of making an impression in the impressible material with the paw print of a pet.
 14. A keepsake arrangement, the keepsake arrangement comprising: a cavity defined by at least one cavity wall, the cavity having an opening; an impressible material disposed in the cavity; a seal, sealingly coupled to a lip about the cavity, for sealing the impressible material in the cavity and for maintaining moisture in the impressible material while the seal is sealingly coupled to the lip about the cavity; a frame pressfittedly coupleable to at least a portion of the lip that extends about the cavity, the frame comprising a shoulder section that extends over at least part of the opening when the frame is coupled to the at least one cavity wall; wherein the shoulder section is dimensioned to assist in retaining the impressible material in the cavity when the seal is removed from the lip about the cavity and the moisture is removed from the impressible material.
 14. The keepsake arrangement as claimed in claim 14, wherein the frame is hingedly coupled to the at least one cavity wall such that the frame can be coupled and decoupled from the lip about the cavity by pivoting of the frame relative to the cavity.
 15. The keepsake arrangement as claimed in claim 14, including a hinge to hingedly couple the frame to the at least one cavity wall, wherein the frame and the hinge are integrally formed from plastic.
 16. The keepsake arrangement as claimed in claim 14, wherein the air dry modeling compound is impressed with the paw print of a pet. 